Chris Shanahan: Wine review – Logan, Angullong and Tudor

Logan Weemala Central Ranges Shiraz Viognier 2013 $19
Peter Logan’s shiraz-viognier blend combines grapes from two distinct points on the NSW Great Dividing Range – Mudgee and Orange. Lower, warmer Mudgee makes strong, tannic shiraz; higher, cooler Orange makes lighter, spicier, softer styles. Logan says the wine is basically Mudgee shiraz (70 per cent of the blend), mollified by the Orange component. It’s a pleasing result from a very good season, the best in his 20-year career, says Logan. The wine shows ripe, cherry-like fruit flavours, with a spicy lift and firm tannins that give a dry, savoury finish.

Angullong Orange Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $19
The 220-hectare Angullong vineyard, 35-kilometres south of Orange, rolls in and out of the Orange wine-district boundary, which is defined partly on altitude. The vineyard’s altitude varies by only 40 metres, from 580-metres to 620-metres. But only the vines above the 600-metre mark lie within Orange. Those below it qualify for the Central Ranges appellation, which must make harvesting and separating the fruit quite a challenge for the managers. Fortunately they grow very good grapes – and it shows in this bright and zesty, clearly varietal dry white. It’s a drink-now style from a region well suited to the variety.

Tudor Central Victorian Shiraz (Aldi) 2013 $12.99
Few wines at this price win gold medals and trophies. But Aldi’s blend shiraz–mourvedre blend earned one trophy at the 2014 National Wine Show of Australia and two in the 2015 Sydney International Wine Competition. That’s on top of two gold, two silver and two bronze medals. The brilliant crimson-rimmed colour; cheerful, fruity aroma, reflected on the juicy palate, are easy to love. Little wonder the judges rated it so highly. Gentle tannins mingle with the fruit, though there’s a savoury note and a little bite to the finish, courtesy no doubt of the mourvedre.